Academics

Systems engineering exposes students to a wide range of topics within the field, including the economic, environmental, managerial, technical, and political aspects of large-scale systems design and implementation.

A student in the Human Systems Engineering Lab seated at a computer, holding a medication bottle

Our flexible academic curricula and hands-on research opportunities prepare our undergraduate and graduate students for successful careers in a multitude of disciplines.

Our Systems Engineering program places our graduates squarely at the center of the data revolution. It equips them with technical skills in areas like data science, visualization, optimization, and business analytics that are critical to decision-making, as well as the leadership and communications skills to direct efforts to design and improve large-scale systems. Through class projects, internships and their fourth-year capstone projects, our undergraduate students gain a real-world, team-based experience applying these skills in such areas as cloud computing and machine learning, unmanned aerial systems and online advertising. As a result, they are in high demand by leading corporations as well as start-ups in fields like consulting, finance, and systems integration.

Our Programs

Undergraduate Program

We offer a bachelor of science degree and a minor in systems engineering.

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Graduate Programs

We offer M.E., M.S., and Ph.D. programs in systems engineering, as well as an online M.E. through the Virginia Engineering Online Program.

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Advice from Recent Graduates

Jad Atweh, Systems Engineering, Ph.D. '25

Make the effort to build a community. A PhD is not just about locking yourself in a lab or grinding through papers—it’s about becoming a whole person in the process. Go to that talk, show up to that social, reach out to a peer whose work you admire. Be open to growth, not just in your research, but in who you are as a scholar and a person. You’re not meant to do this alone—and the people you surround yourself with will shape your journey just as much as your research will.
Katharine Chandler, Systems Engineering, B.S. '25

Network and join different clubs—it’s one of the best ways to find your people, explore your interests, and open doors professionally. Don’t be afraid to take classes outside of the e-school; some of my favorite and most eye-opening courses were in other departments. Branching out helped me become a more well-rounded thinker and gave me new perspectives that I now use in my career. Be curious, stay open-minded, and take advantage of all UVA has to offer.
Shanell Guardo, AMP in Systems Engineering, M.E. '25

Embrace complexity and stay curious. This program will stretch your thinking—lean into it. Seek collaboration, ask questions and don’t be afraid to fail forward. Your background, perspective and voice matter, especially in fields like systems engineering where the best solutions often come from inclusive, interdisciplinary teams.